New Year's Eve Planning

As my friend Steve says, New Year's Eve is for amateurs. I tend to agree so, my plan is usually to stay in- sometimes with friends and sometimes on my own (yes, with my little kitty- no crazy cat lady jokes please). She is a cuddly kitty.

As I was looking through Facebook, I noticed there is a "Happy Endings" marathon on TV.  Hmmm... Suddenly an evening of sparkling wine, sweats, TV comedy (love Casey Wilson!) & the ball drop at midnight sounds like the perfect way to ring in 2014.

After work, my plans are set!
Happy Pre-New Year everyone.
Be safe. Be happy. Be sparkly.

Henri Bendel Fan

For the past year plus, I have been obsessed with Henri Bendel. It's started with a bracelet I saw in In Style magazine that I requested for a gift from my Mom. She bought it plus more. Bracelets plural plus a ring and a coffee mug and a beach bag...

www.henribendel.com

This Christmas it looked like Henri vomited in my living room (thanks Mom & Dad!)
Jewelry, iPhone case, hair accessories, more jewelry, candles, purse.... AND luggage! The main event.
All in the recognizable brown & white striped boxes with brown & white polka dot bows. I'm in love.

I have been to the flagship store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan twice. Complete kid in a candy store.
Last time, Vanessa tagged along and bought jewelry for her girls. Of course with my approval.

There is no Henri store in Northern Cal, but there are a few in So Cal (work trips), Las Vegas & Mall of America in Minnesota.  Yeah. But I am partial to 5th Avenue.

Fashion galore. The website is great too. I can peruse for hours...
Check out the site on the link above.
Happy Shopping!

Merry Christmas To All &...

I love the Christmas season- Christmas Eve & Christmas Day especially. This year was no different.  Mom & Dad are here from Minnesota.  Work leading up to these days is very hectic, but once the holiday arrives, a input that behind me.

This year has been no exception. Some of my Christmas 2013 highlights:

Wine tasting before Christmas Eve dinner
Taco bar as a new Christmas Eve dinner (yummy)
Mom's cookies and pies
Lots & lots of fun Henri Bendel gifts
Hawaiian coconut & pineapple pancakes for Christmas breakfast
Rest and relaxation with the family

That's what the holiday season is all about to me. The joy of fun events and spending time with loved ones.
Next up, New Year's Eve...
'Tis the season again

All Around So Cal

Orange County, Inland empire, San Diego, the Valley, Burbank, Universal City... All places I spent time over a 6 day period last week.

It all kinda runs together, but let's see what I can remember as some recommendations.

The OC is not always as great as it sounds. I always thought "beach"- blame in the the shows  "The OC" and "Laguna Beach". It's not that exciting in general. But Disney is there.

Inland Empire... Found a great new place. Slater's 50/50. Burgers half ground beef and half ground bacon. Wow. Plus they had 102 bears on tap. Wow again. Did not experience either- just had wine- but will return. Burgers looked amazing.

San Diego was rainy. Bummer. Wish it was not... But after all, it was work time. Another time...

Thursday drove the coast the San Louis Obispo. Such a gorgeous drive. I think I could live  there.

LA weather is grand. Sites are pretty. Traffic sucks, but you deal with it. Love it there.

Good week- give Slater's 50/50 a try folks. I guess that's a wrap.

Malibu County Mart

I am in love with the Malibu County Mart. Ever since we hung out with Pierce Brosnan at the movies. Volcano I think.... Years ago. Anyway, something about it haunts me in a good way.

Oliver Peoples sunglasses. Planet Blue clothes. Malibu Kitchen. Marmalade Cafe. Across from the beach. Stopping to enjoy The Coffee Bean. Gelato. More boutiques. Heaven. Pure heaven.

This trip I picked up a new pair of Olivers. Imagine that. Plus the softest bell-bottom lounge pants from Planet Blue I have ever touched. Can't wait to lounge now.  Christmas?

Take a trip down the PCH. Worth it.

Holiday Weekend in LA

Chelsea Lately taping. Yummy dinners. Shopping. Grinchmas at Universal Studios. Malibu fun.

That is what this weekend has in store for Shannon and me in our Holiday in LA. Fun stuff.

After work Thursday and Friday, we played. The Chelsea taping was a bucket list item. Loved it. Chelsea. Chuey. Comedians. Thanks Shannon for getting tickets.

Last night we hung at The Grove. Love that outdoor mall- especially during the holidays. So festive. If you are there this week, check out the cork art honoring Cougar Town (show on TBS). And the fountain. And people watching.

For now, work is done for 2 days. Off to the gym so we can enjoy more tasty eats. Falalalala....

The Christmas Month

December 7... The first week of the most festive month of the year is also most complete.  I am lucky to be enjoying it in Honolulu, Hawaii. Yeah.

I do travel for work almost 3 weeks out of every month- give or take a few days.  People who do not travel for work think it's glamorous. For those of us who do, 3 words. IT IS NOT.

However, I do make the most of it. When I can. And I often have hilarious stories to boot. This beginning of December Hawaii trip is definitely on the "most of it".

Thanksgiving came and went in my retail whirlwind. Although, I did make a big turkey that was moderately successful. Worked all weekend and then off to Hawaii for work.  After 4 days of punching the clock, I get 1.5 days of blissful fun, sun & more in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Yeah me!

After a fun evening, it's time for some exercise, beach, shopping, eating... Ooh-la-la!  Can't wait for more.
Happy December to all.

November Craziness

My last post about 2 weeks ago was about the joy of November (scents & all). Today it's about the craziness of the holiday season- especially in retail. Over the past 2 weeks, I was in California, went to Park City, then to Minnesota and then back to California- oh- and off to Las Vegas tomorrow!

Park City was by far the best. While for the most part I despise snow, in PC I adore it. Love the mountain snow (also nice when no shoveling and parking underground is involved of course). I was able to relax a bit before another few busy work days on the road. I love watching the snow fall when I am in front of the fire, enjoying some of PC's delicious restaurants and going to my favorite spa. Align Spa if you have never been. Love. Check it out.

Minnesota was nice because I got to see Mom & Grandma, but it is amazing how much time changes can affect a body and a moods. Seriously.  But, moving on...

Getting ready for the big Thanksgiving weekend in retail. I love it and hate it at the same time. Love the excitement... I will leave it at that.

I am getting ready to pick up the food for the feast, decide which photos will go on the holiday card, and enjoying a little kitty time with the Hallmark channel before I fly on a jet plane again tomorrow.

Turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, veggies, rolls... Oh my!

Pumpkin Flavors & More

Making my Pumpkin Spice Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf coffee this morning, I was thinking about all the pumpkin flavored foods that come out of the woodwork this time of year,. Yum! Pinterest is a haven for these foods.

Cheesecake, cupcakes, regular cake, bundt cake, pie, bread, cookies.. Oh my goodness.

And don't get me started on the scents. Candles. Room spray. Wow.
Cannot get enough.

And then there is Apple... S'mores...  Other spices... Pine needles.... Christmas trees.

Oh! And soap. Body lotion. Hand lotion. Body scrubs. The list is endless.

Eating. Shopping. Gift giving. It's a magical time.
I'm all sorts of giddy.

Nordstrom Rack Virgin

I have always heard how great Nordstrom Rack is. Never been.  This past week, in Seattle, there happened to be one in the parking lot of my hotel and I hopped in after dinner one night.

It was like my yellow brick road of shopping. Love.

Purses, scarves, shoes, jewelry, jeans... Oh my.

I bought a myself a Kate Spade purse at a great price and a Kate Spade IPad case for under $30 plus a few Christmas gifts for friends. My 90 minutes inside felt like 10 minutes. Time flies....

A prettier, more organized,  better designers Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Much better.

I think I found a winner here. I'll be back. You can count on it.